Obituary of Clare Jyothi Shultz

Clare Jyothi McCormick (Shultz) gently entered the Clear Light for which she was named, at 3:30 AM on May 4, 2013. She passed from this world on her 100th day of residency at Tara Home hospice cottage, on the grounds of The Land of Medicine Buddha, in Soquel, California, in the presence of her beloved daughter and sister. Clare completed her life in the same way that she began it: at home, with her loved ones. Clare Jyothi Devi Timbrel Elsie was born at home, in Tustin, California, during the wee hours of the morning on December 17, 1973. She lived in Southern California for the first 3 years of her life, adoring her two older brothers and always tagging along behind them. The family relocated to Lompico Canyon (Felton) in 1976. The rest of Clare's happy childhood days were spent in the Canyon, where she enjoyed the magical redwood forest with her siblings and neighborhood friends. Clare was homeschooled, and was involved in numerous activities such as Aikido classes and the Ramayana theatrical production. During those years, Clare was such a devoted Big Sister to the three brothers and one sister that were to follow, as the McCormick Clan continued to expand throughout the 70s and 80s. The crowning glory of Clare's life was the birth of her own daughter Caitlin Mae, in August 1992. She has often said, over the years, that Caitlin was "the best thing that ever happened" to her. During Clare's last visit with her own mother, she smiled and whispered: "I can't believe that my baby is 20 years old!" She was so very proud of Caitlin's many accomplishments, at such a young age. Clare married Caitlin's father, Robert McCuiston, in the Summer of 1998 at Quail Hollow Ranch in Ben Lomond. They remained good friends for the rest of her life. Clare's working life was centered around New Leaf Community Market in Boulder Creek, where she served as their Grocery Buyer for 12 years. Co-workers appreciated her terrific sense of humor and her attention to detail in that long-held position. During the last 100 days of her life, Clare opened her arms and her heart to the loving care of family members, friends, invaluable Hospice staff, and Tara Home volunteers --- while quietly absorbing the profound spiritual nourishment provided by The Land of Medicine Buddha, during the last stages of her journey. Tara Home was truly "home," in every sense of the word, for Clare and her family. Within that time frame, Clare and her soul-mate Alan Rice exchanged vows of spiritual commitment on Valentine's Day, in the presence of family, friends, Venerable Drimay, and the Pacific Ocean. In honor of Clare's deep love for the Ocean, her ashes will eventually find their resting place somewhere upon the waters of Monterey Bay. Keepers of Clare's Memory include her adored daughter, Caitlin Mae McCuiston; her loving parents Karen and Mickey McCormick; her grandmother Germaine Sundstrom; Alan Rice; Robert McCuiston; her five protective brothers: Sid McCormick, Shanti McCormick, Emrys McCormick, Elaeth McCormick, and Ashoka McCormick; and her cherished sister, Rohanna McCord. Her six nieces and nephews will always remember their funny Auntie Clare: Gareth, Rhett, and Gwenyth McCormick; Amber Rose McCormick, and Tia and Jordan McCord. She will also be missed by her Auntie NeeNee, Uncles Ray and Steve Sundstrom, and their families. Clare also dearly loved her sisters-in-law: Leah McCormick, Michelle McCormick, Lori Greene, and Roxy Greenspan. She counted Harold McCord as her "sixth brother." And she loved Chloe Rice, Tyler Rambo, and Stevie Soto as if they were her own kids. Clare touched many, many lives--- and her devoted friends are too numerous to name, and each one held their own place within her great big heart. Clare will be receiving Tibetan Buddhist prayers for 49 days after her passing, from the office of the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and the Land of Medicine Buddha. Arrangements are in the compassionate care of Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, in Santa Cruz, California. A Joyful Celebration of Clare's Life will be held on Saturday, June 8, from 1 to 4 PM, in the LaFelize Room at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center (Long Marine Lab), 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the "In Memory of Clare" Fund (to benefit Caitlin McCuiston) which has been established at Liberty Bank, Account # 03020562, in Felton, California. "Keep God's presence in your heart and visualize the light of the soul like a rising sun. Merge in that light, and let the flower fall." ~~ Baba Hari Dass (a shining light in Clare's childhood) OM.